WINTER SOLSTICE

20 Saturday Dec 2025

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The following article is about Christmas traditions in Poland. We lived in Warsaw between 1997-2000. We had a beautiful house in the neighbourhood of Saska-Kepa, on the Vistula River, a residential area which was spared the destruction seen in other parts of Warsaw during the war. We loved the Christmas season and all the festivities and food.

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Lately, we hear that technology is transforming everything – from how we work to how we fall in love. But when it comes to Christmas, especially in Poland, change tends to stop politely at the doorstep. No algorithm has yet managed to rewrite Wigilia. The white tablecloth still hides a handful of hay, an extra chair waits patiently for an unexpected guest, and the rhythm of the evening is set not by notifications but by the first star. Even in an age of AI-generated playlists and digital greeting cards, Polish Christmas remains stubbornly analogue – rooted in gestures repeated year after year.

Take the famous twelve dishes: meatless, symbolic, and deeply seasonal. Barszcz or mushroom soup, carp, cabbage with peas, poppy-seed desserts – the menu reads like a quiet archive of older beliefs, when food mediated between the living, the dead, and the natural world. Mushrooms smuggle the forest onto the table; grains and poppy seeds promise continuity and abundance. Beyond the nationwide canon, regional customs once filled the dark days between Christmas and Epiphany with masquerades, ritual baking, flirtatious carols, and strange, wonderful creatures roaming village streets. Many of these traditions have faded, yet their logic – that this is a liminal time, when boundaries soften and meanings multiply – still hums beneath the surface.

So perhaps the more interesting question is not whether AI will change Christmas, but why Christmas resists change so effectively. In Poland, the holiday continues to act as a cultural anchor: repetitive, slightly stubborn, comfortingly familiar. It reminds us that not everything needs updating, optimizing, or reinventing.

Latkes and Holofernes

18 Thursday Dec 2025

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Latkes are fairly well known in general culture. It is a food that is eaten at Hanukkah in memory of Judith who saved her people. Now Latkes we know are made with potatoes, but at the time of Judith, around 562 BC, there was no potato. We were not cultivating them in PEI as far as I can remember. The story revolves around Judith, a daring and beautiful widow, who is upset with her Judean countrymen for not trusting God to deliver them from their foreign conquerors. She goes with her loyal maid to the camp of the Assyrian general, Holofernes, with whom she slowly ingratiates herself, promising him information on the Israelites gaining his trust, she is allowed access to his tent. As he lies in a drunken stupor, she decapitates him, then takes his head back to her fearful countrymen. The Assyrians, having lost their leader, disperse, and Israel is saved.

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So what were early Latkes made of, one theory is that Judith fed Holofernes very salty cheese fried in oil. He had to drink a lot of wine because the saltiness of the cheese made him very thirsty. He got very drunk and passed out. It is also the tradition or was the tradition to read the story of Judith at Hanukkah. You have to wait until the 15th century when the Spaniards return from the Americas, Peru and Bolivia to be precise, to see potatoes introduced to Europe and this is when Latkes started to be made with potatoes fried in oil, however oil was a luxury product in Northern Europe and so schmaltz was introduced into the making of Latkes.

I also discovered that SIRIUS XM which I have on my car radio, has a station which broadcasts 24-7 Hanukkah music in many different genres. This way I can switch from one tradition to another enjoying both Christmas and Hanukkah.

At the same time we are preparing for Christmas, all my cards have been sent, the silver is polished for the table and I will set everything up on the table in advance, so it is one less thing to do. The weather has been turning progressively warmer in the last few days and by Friday it should be around 11C which again is weird after the terrible cold we had.

Here is another recipe I stumbled upon for the Holidays.

Take one potato chip, round and flat, sea salt is good, add a dab of creme fraiche and on top with a small spoon Caviar. To be served with drinks prior to dinner. I am serving this amuse bouche at our Christmas Luncheon.

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Advent painting

17 Wednesday Dec 2025

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Pieter Bruegel the Elder, The census at Bethlehem, (1566). This winter village scene in the countryside, is asking us to see if we can find the Holy Family. We see villagers going about their business, everyone is busy with personal matters, shopping, paying accounts, skating, cooking, etc. It could be any village at Advent time. This holiday season is similar, we have lots to do and no time, no time, stress, etc. But where is pregnant Mary and Joseph? Do you see them, give yourself 3 seconds to find them, no cheating. I have read that this painting teaches us that if life stresses you, at this time of the year you need to slow down and enjoy friends and what is around you and appreciate it all. Maybe more now because I note that many people make the remark in passing that we live in troubled times and the future does not appear so certain. Last night we went to a show, which was great fun, the audience is the show and we are guided by two entertainers on stage to follow and participate. It’s called Choir, Choir, Choir. The show started with Brenda Lee, who is still alive at 81, singing her 1958 hit, “Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree”. The video was hilarious, she is only 4 foot 9 inches. It was followed by more classic Xmas hits all written by Jewish authors. The two entertainers on stage were also Jewish, Daveed Goldman and Nobu Edilman. They were really good and professional. The last song, was my personal favourite by Mariah Carey, All I want for Christmas is you from 1994. That song brings back a lot of memories for me, it was also a year when 5 regional wars were on-going. I dread what 2026 will bring, not only for the world but also for Canada with demented Trump at the wheel.

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CHOIR, CHOIR, CHOIR, the Canadian Christmas Show. The photo below is the part where you get your iPhone out, call someone and show them what is going on and they can join in the singing.

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Since we are approaching the Winter Solstice here is a poem

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Something I learned

16 Tuesday Dec 2025

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The 14 December is the first day of Hanukkah this year, I follow this fellow who is a writer for newspaper Haaretz but also a linguist, Elon Gilad. He spoke today about Herod the Great, King of Judea who was supported by the Romans. Herod is known for his murder of the last Maccabean ruler and for his expansion and lavish building of the second temple in Jerusalem. Herod was hated by his people, the Jews in Judea because he was ruling with military support from Rome and for trying to erase the history of the Maccabean and their dynasty. Gilad says: the original Book of Maccabees never mentions the miracle of the oil or fire. Even the greatest historian of the era, Josephus, admitted he had no idea why Hanukkah was called the “Festival of Lights.”

So, who turned the lights on? 🕯️🤔

The historical evidence points to a shocking source: The very man who murdered the last descendants of the Maccabees. King Herod. Apparently the original idea of the Hanukkah Festival was to commemorate the revolt of the Maccabees and rededication of the Second Temple. The story of the oil and the lamps comes later and appears in the Talmud centuries later. Herod through his own propaganda preferred to tell the following story of the Festival of Lights to attract attention to his own work at embellishing the Temple and expanding it, stating that a stash of naphtha from the destroyed temple was found and when poured over the Altar it caught fire. As Gilad points out it is a theory, very interesting.

So we are now at the Third Sunday of Advent, known as Gaudamus Sunday, the birth of this little Jewish baby and Christmas is around the corner, it looks like we will have a white Xmas this year after several years of green Xmas. We are all set and I am looking forward to getting from my fishmonger some Hot Smoke Salmon, I also buy some for friends who love the stuff. It is very good to eat with bread of crackers and a glass of wine or scotch.

Here is another recipe you can try this Christmas or at any time of the year.

Potatoes and Lobster Hash

Ingredients:

  • 1 (1.25lb) PEI Lobster, Cooked & Meat Chopped
  • 2 Medium Russet Potatoes, Cubed
  • 2 Eggs, Sunny Side Up Or Poached
  • 3/4 Cup Bacon 
  • 1/2 Cup Onions, Chopped
  • 1 Cup Button Mushrooms, Quartered
  • 1/2 Cup Bell Peppers, Chopped
  • 1-2 Tsp Garlic, Minced
  • Salt & Black Pepper- To Taste

Directions:

Method:
1. Place potatoes into a pot of cold, salted water; bring to a boil and cook for 12-15 minutes or until tender.
2. Remove potatoes from heat and drain; set aside.
3. Place bacon in a sauté pan and cook until crispy or to desired doneness. Remove from heat and remove bacon. Set bacon aside.
4. With the bacon fat still in the pan, heat pan over medium-high heat; add onions, peppers, and mushrooms. Cook, stirring occasionally for approximately 4 minutes or until vegetables start to soften.
5. Add potatoes to the pan and cook without stirring for 2-3 minutes or until potatoes start to brown. Stir in garlic and season with salt & black pepper and continue cooking for 2-3 minutes.
6. Fold in cooked lobster meat and bacon and cook for 2 minutes or until lobster is heated through.
7. Remove lobster hash from heat and divide between two plates; top each plate with a sunny side or poached egg and serve hot.

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Statutes Day and Xmas decorations

11 Thursday Dec 2025

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Today 11 December is the Anniversary of the Statutes of Westminster of 1931. Though Canada became a united country on 1 July 1867, the British Parliament at Westminster could still undo Canadian Laws or rewrite them to fit the Imperial model. However on 11 December 1931, Canada gained full legislative independence, divorcing ourselves from London once and for all. This is a very important date, most Canadians do not seem to know this however. Sovereign countries cannot allow other countries to do their legislative work and thus some 94 years ago, it finally happened. So today on Parliament Hill in Ottawa, next to the Canadian Flag flies the Union Jack to mark the anniversary.

This photo of the Imperial Conference with the King Emperor George V, with the Prime Ministers of the Dominions. To the left of the King seated is the Prime Minister of Canada, William Lyon Mackenzie King. The Dominion of Canada, was considered the first Dominion of the Empire, Australia was number two. They are all wearing formal Court dress in this picture.

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Well we celebrated Will’s Birthday this week with a beautiful Mascarpone Cake which he loved. We also polished his balls, as the joke he loves to tell. This is our 30 Neiman Marcus Sterling Silver Xmas tree balls, which need a little polishing each year before going on the tree. We also polished the Towle Silversmiths Co. Xmas tree ornament in Sterling Silver, produced between 1971-1992.

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Teeter who has been spooked by all this Xmas business, he does not seem to understand the tree, the lights etc. But he is fascinated by the silver ornaments.

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A PEI recipe with the Holiday’s

09 Tuesday Dec 2025

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savourbyshannon1dThese lobster arancini balls will be the hit of your next holiday party!

{Don’t worry, you can make them ahead of time and keep them in the fridge until you’re ready to fry them up!}

Lobster Arancini 🦞
Ingredients (makes 10-12 balls):
– 2 steamed lobsters
– 1 tbsp olive oil
– 1 medium onion, diced
– splash of white wine
– 1 cup Arborio rice
– 1L chicken broth
– 1 cup Parmesan cheese (plus more for garnish)
– 1/2 cup flour
– 1 cup breadcrumbs
– 1 egg, whisked
– salt and pepper
– 4L vegetable oil

Directions:
1) crack and shell your lobster and chop finely. Set aside.
2) in a skillet, sauté onion in oil until translucent. Deglaze with wine and cook until reduced, about 2 minutes.
3) add rice and then add 1/2 cup broth, cooking until absorbed. Repeat until broth is gone, adding water if rice is still underdone.
4) stir in Parmesan and let cool on a parchment lined pan.
5) stir in lobster and form into balls.
6) set up a dredging station with flour, egg and breadcrumbs, seasoning with salt and pepper. Dip each risotto ball in flour, egg and then breadcrumbs.
7) preheat oil in a Dutch oven until it reaches 325°F. Add balls in batches (3-4 at a time) to not reduce the temperature of the oil. Cook until golden brown, remove and set on paper towel. Season with salt immediately.
8) when all balls are cooked, grate fresh parmesan on top. Serve alone, with a salad or with your favourite tomato sauce.
Enjoy!

6 Months ago

09 Tuesday Dec 2025

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On this day 6 months ago Mr Teeter moved in with us. From a very shy and confused 4 yr old dachshund, he now has his life all organized with his routine of sleep, snooze, treats and walks. We are very attached to him and he is a very sweet boy. We provide him with whatever he might like to make his life enjoyable, however he is not spoiled. He reminds us that we can always do more. Trained to be fearless hunting dogs in the forest, Dachshunds are now pampered house canine.

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We had a wonderful day at Harmony House in Hunter River, we went to see Mike Ross and his musical group perform ”The Kitchen Party”. This is an annual event and it is very popular, we bought our tickets some time ago to make sure we could see the show. Incredible amount of talent in this group, including Lucas Hall a 17 year old fiddler with an incredible stage presence and Joce Reyome singing blues, a powerful voice. Mike Ross puts together great shows which always sell out. He also worked for the Soul Pepper Theatre Co. in Toronto. This is billed as a Xmas show but it is not, by that I mean that Mike Ross has a monologue on different topics somehow related to the Holiday Season and he then inserts musical arrangements of songs from the 1950’s and 1960’s. It is not your usual Xmas songs we have heard a million times but something very different, I would use to word sophisticated, sure to please.

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On our way, we made a small detour to visit an Amish Farm just outside Hunter River on Hwy 13. What a wonderful farm and the produce and prepared food they sell is of very high quality. I remember this summer the peach pie and breads were excellent. Hunter River is less than 30 minutes from Charlottetown and it is an easy drive. Now all purchases are in cash only, the Amish do not use credit cards. We purchased chocolates, breads, jams, a Tourtiere which was delicious. We could have purchased so much more, it’s all good. They also have meat for sale from their farm, like lamb and beef and at this time of the year turkeys, they are in the back field waiting for the guillotine and dressed. Very big birds.

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4749 Hwy 13, Hunter River, PEI.

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Winter

05 Friday Dec 2025

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Well Winter is here now, -31C this morning and high winds. Teeter had his coat on but now he needs boots. This is always difficult to get, dogs do not like anything on their paws and it is a fight to put them on. On the other hand the ground is so cold he cannot walk on snow and ice and no salt either. In the last day, we’ve had blowing snow and yes it’s a Winter so called wonderland.

Shocking news last night from Quebec City, the church known as Notre-Dame des Victoires, built on the foundation of the Mansion of the founder of the City, called L’Habitation (1608), Samuel de Champlain, this church will be closed until May 1, 2026. Located in the lower town of Quebec City on Place Royale and was built to give thanks for victories against 2 attacks by the British fleet with Major General William Phipps in 1688 and again by Admiral Hoevenden Walker in 1711. From historical records I know that my ancestor Nicholas Philippe Lebel de Beaulieu who was a French soldier participated in the battle of 1688. The Governor of Canada (New France) at the time was Louis de Buade, Conte de Frontenac from 1672-1698 Governor General of New France under King Louis XIV. The bust of the Sun King is in front of the Church.

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The reason for the closure during the winter is because of a lack of funds by the Quebec Diocese. This church is the oldest in all Canada and has been a functioning church since 1688 and survived all the wars and attacks waged by the British on Quebec City. As a major historical monument, I cannot understand that the Federal and Provincial Quebec Governments would allow this to happen. It has been the tradition that the Midnight Mass was celebrated in the church every year. This year it is cancelled for the first time in more than 300 years since 1688. The Cathedral of Quebec is also under financial threat, built in 1647 under the regency period as King Louis XIV was only 6 years old, his mother, Queen Anne of Austria, ruled as regent with the powerful Cardinal Mazarin as chief minister. It is the oldest Cathedral north of Mexico City. Most French Governors are buried in the Cathedral and the first Cardinal Bishop in North America, Francois Montmorency de Laval (1623-1708) who had an immense influence in the development of Canada. Again in this case, it will be open only on certain days to save money.

Stories

03 Wednesday Dec 2025

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There is a British fellow I have been following on Instagram named Steve Moore, he spends a lot of time in Venice It. and the UK. He presents objects and ask of viewers what do you think this is, every object has a link to history and evolution of society. I made all kinds of discoveries through the stories told by this fellow. This being the Advent Season, Moore told a story of a salesman in Pennsylvania trying to sell to shop owners a box with 145 articles inside. This fellow had no luck and in the afternoon of December 1888 he walked into a store and asked the owner to buy his box, if he did not sell the objects in the box, he would take them back. The owner of the store only sold practical goods and the content of the box had no practical use but he took a chance. After two days the box was sold out, customers had bought every object. So what was it? By 1940 this shop owner had sold 500 million of those items, despite the fact they had no practical use, they were more about beauty. The objects were made in Germany and at first I thought of our wood nutcracker I bought in a shop some 45 years ago in Ottawa, this hand painted wood nutcracker was made in East Germany, at the time the GDR was known for its fine wood made toys and other objects. No that was not it at all. I am disappointed with Nutcrackers today made in China and look cheap.

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The shop owner was W.F. Woolworth and this was his store, the objects in the box were glass Christmas balls for your tree imported from Germany. What Mr Woolworth understood was that his customers wanted practical but also beautiful things for their homes. Leads me to imagine what Xmas trees would look like if Mr. Woolworth had not introduced this item to shoppers.

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To keep in the spirit of the Season here is an individual brand of Champagne matched to your Zodiac sign. Symbol of happiness, festivity, celebration, good health. Champagne is good for all occasions or moods.

Aries: Piper-Heidsieck, Taurus: Bellecart-Salmon, Gemini: Taittiger, Cancer: Famille Mousse, Leo: Veuve Cliquot, Virgo: Laurent-Perrier, Libra: Perrier-Jouet, Scorpio: Bollinger, Sagittarius: Charles Heidseick, Capricorn: Dom Pérignon, Aquarius: Ruinart, Pisces: Pommery.

Important to note that all champagnes are not alike and they are developed following a recipe of the grower and thus have different flavours which match your Zodiac sign, I think this is so 70’s.

It should be served chilled 10C. and lots of tiny bubbles and taste like fresh pastry.

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Finally, Advent Season is Stollen Season. Stollen is a German pastry made at this time of the year.

Stollen, also known as 
Christstollen or Weihnachtsstollen, is traditional bread-fruitcake, popular during the Christmas season. It is characterized by its dense texture, rich ingredients, and thick dusting of powdered sugar. The ingredients; Dried fruits (raisins, currants, cherries), often macerated in rum or brandy, Candied citrus peels, Nuts (almonds are typical), Spices (cardamom, cinnamon, nutmeg), Marzipan rope, which is often included in the centre of the loaf. The most famous version is Dresden Stollen. So I bought a Stollen today at the store and will have it with coffee or tea.

In Rome we use to eat Pannetone or Pan D’Oro, it should always be eaten very fresh, unfortunately what is sold here is weeks old and imported. In Ottawa, on Preston street in Little Italy, there is a very good coffee shop with a great variety of Italian and Sicilian Pastries available fresh and prepared on the premises.

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Tuesday

02 Tuesday Dec 2025

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I forgot to mention in my previous post, that you can watch the music for Advent on the channel of the Frauenkirche Dresden on YouTube. The 2025 program Klingender Adventskalender | Einladung.

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The Frauenkirche is a Lutheran Baroque church, originally built in 1726 with plans by architect George Bahr and completely destroyed in February 1945. The rebuilding on the original plan started in 1994 and ended in 2005. You may have seen it in paintings of the City of Dresden by Canaletto, Bellotto and Dahl.

This week the program is a little up in the air due to the snow storm on its way from West of us, now it is suppose to get to us on Tuesday night and last all day Wednesday about 10 inches and temperatures of -27C with very high winds predicted to be around 80Km per hour, which is typical of storms on the Island. This means few will venture on the roads during the storm. I wonder how Teeter will find this situation, mind you he lived on a farm in Marshfield which is East of the city for 4 yrs. so it should not be a problem and he wears his coat. This was not the case with our Nicky who did not like the cold or snow despite being a wire hair Dachshund.